I have owned a 290 and currently have a 246, which shares many parts but is a 3-pt model. These planters are a simple, durable design and although they have not been built in many years, it is relatively easy to find them in decent condition and to find parts. Seed plates are still manufactured today (exact same part as on newer model 71's) and are available for most any seed type. Sometimes the fertilizer parts are a little difficult to locate, but at least they almost always have dry-fertilizer attachments (or at least did when new) which, in my opinion, make them a much better choice for most 2-row applications than a cut-down model 71. Larger model 71's were mostly set up for liquid fertilizer which is not practical for most gardeners, foodplotters, etc. Dry fertlizer, available almost anywhere and not requiring any fancy PPE, is the way to go. Spreading it only next to the rows allows for far more efficient use of this increasingly expensive product as can be achieved with a broadcast spreader. They say a modern, plateless planter will give you more uniform seed depth and spacing but I never had any trouble with those things in many years with my model 290 and 246.